Caitlin Clark has made a name for herself in the sports world lately, thanks in large part to his record-breaking final year with the Iowa Hawkeyes. After scoring the most points in NCAA basketball history, Clark’s legend only grew.
Clark was selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever and has already brought a ton of exposure to the sport. While low WNBA player contracts are always a hot topic of discussion, everyone thought Clark would get a lot more money through endorsement deals.
It only took a few days for this to happen, as The Athletic reported. Clark and Nike were closing in on a massive sponsorship deal that would earn him at least $20 million, including bonuses, and his own signature shoe. The news that Clark won an incoming shoe set the internet ablaze and prompted a response from the 2022 and 2020 WNBA MVP, and arguably the best player in the league.
Even fellow WNBA player Sydney Colson commented, “I’m like, I could have a shoe before @_ajawilson22 at that level.”
Getty Images/Matthieu Holst
Colson has been in the WNBA since 2011 and has been playing with the Las Vegas Aces since the 2022 season. The Aces, who have won back-to-back championships, are home to two-time MVP A’Ja Wilson, who has yet to receive a signature shoe. Internet backlash also led to a response from Wilson herself.
Always remember that what is delayed is not denied…✨????
– A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) April 18, 2024
His message X simply states: “Remember that what is delayed is not denied. » She may have been trying to placate the internet crowds, but she definitely deserves her own shoe.
Wilson finished the 2023 season with averages of 22.8 points per game, 9.5 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game and 2.2 blocks per game. She set the WNBA on fire and has been on a tear since entering the world of professional basketball in 2018.
Although he has yet to receive a shoe, it looks like Nike is also working on making this dream a reality. The controversy could come from the fact that the famous shoe company is taking its time.
For what it’s worth, I’ve been told multiple times that A’ja has a shoe that came from the folks at Nike.
But when I ask for a schedule, there is never one. He just promises it happens.
To be clear, I no longer think this is enough.
– Michael Sykes, II (@MikeDSykes) April 18, 2024
Michael Sykes II of For The Win said on his X Page: “For what it’s worth, I’ve been told several times that A’ja has a shoe that came from the people at Nike. But when I ask for a schedule, there is never one. . I just promise to make it happen. To be clear, I no longer think this is enough.
Sykes says that while Wilson is supposed to get a signature shoe, it has been talked about for a long time but has yet to happen. The wait is enough to make people wonder how Clark immediately got a shoe, but Wilson is still waiting. But then again, Wilson herself indicated that she had not been refused and was simply waiting.
Uncommon knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
